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Tavari returns to the group and reports his findings: that their current passage is long -- he estimates it to be about 80 feet -- and that, at the end of the passage, it appears to open up, possibly into another cavern.

While Kernolde hangs back at the bend to continue his rearguard duties, Luken moves alongside the halfling and heaves the fire gland down the passageway. The gland rolls to a stop just inside the cavern and illuminates the very entrance to it. Nothing evident is seen in this newly lit area, but some scurrying sounds are heard coming from further within.

Tavari's nose wrinkles and brow furrows as he hears the sounds of scurrying. "Let's creep forward quietly for a closer look. Luken, I won't stray too far ahead. I don't want to fight creepy crawlers alone!"

Tavari will creep forward (assuming the party follows), bow drawn. He will stop as soon as he sees any creature in the open area. If he reaches the open area before seeing anything, he will immediately move 5 feet along the west wall to allow others to exit the passageway.

Kernodle will progress up to the rest, to ummm, protect them from any harm, of course.

Luken will Tavari's progress aiming his crossbow to slightly to his left.

Abe moves forward with the party, bringing the light of the lamp to the darkened room.

The sudden appearance of a rat causes Tavari to halt the progress of the group just before reaching the entrance to what is another cavern. The rat simply stops and stares at the group, twitching its whiskers.

Tavari gasps at the sight of the giant rodent. He fires an arrow to end its existence.

Kernodle wonders why they stopped.

he whispers,
Hey what's happening? what and how many are there this time?

"A single rat ahead" calls Tavari with uncharacteristic brevity.

Luken takes a shot at the rat.

Kerndodle calls back,"Well watch your toes then. they like to bite at 'em.

At the same time, Tavari sends an arrow and Luken a bolt at the footlong rat and one of the projectiles finds its mark, piercing the rodent. The creature elicits a brief, shrill squeal before falling motionless on its side with a shaft sticking out of it. Tavari is in a position to see a pool of water in the center of the cavern.

Experience Points
Natural 20: +20xp (Luken only)

Once he has the opportunity, Abelard moves into the small room, finding more comfort in open spaces than cramped passageways...

"The eye of an archer, Luken! You and your bow get along well!" praises Tavari, reaching UP to slap him on the back.

"Beware still water, a Quimbas family motto...or really a motto of all halflings. I'll give the pool in the middle of the room ahead a wide berth, thank you very much. Now to see about my arrow."

Tavari holds tight to the wall as he makes his way to the rat to determine if he can recover his arrow. He lets out a sigh of disappointment.

Kernodle also moves into the room, and he will investigate what/how the pool was made. (Natural or manmade). He will listen to the advice not get too close to it.

Luken will move toward the room: Best bit o'luck today thus far, heh! Before entering the room completely he will stop to reload his crossbow.

The rat now dispensed of, the foursome enters the cavern finding the open space to provide some extra breathing room and comfort over the cramped 5' wide cavern passages. Steering clear of the pool of water, Tavari hugs the wall to the right and looks to recover his arrow but is unsuccessful. Luken reloads his crossbow and veers left of the pool with Abe and Kernoldle on his heels.

The pool, it turns out, appears to be little more than some standing water in a slightly recessed area in the center of the cavern.

There's an exit from the cavern to the north. The occasional, yet familiar squeaking sound of these pesky rats is heard coming from this northern passage.

Kernodle calls out.
dang those things. Any way to repel them? We may want to consider going back to that one spot we were blocking up. if we have to face more toe biters, might as well be closer to the top?

Maybe use this rat corpse as bait for the others somehow....? Luken will say scratching his wound. Get them into one place and let them have it...

"Yes, yes, that's a wise idea. I was thinking the same thing!" Tavari blushes as he realizes the implication of his statement. "I can scout ahead and see if throwing this thing out to attract the others is a feasible option."

Tavari will do so if the party agrees.